On October 17-19th, 2024, the University of Foggia, partner of SAMExperience project, took part in the XXI SIM Conference. Hosted by the IULM University of Milan, in Italy, the conference brought together scholars, researchers, and professionals to discuss the latest developments in marketing and communication. Organized by the Italian Marketing Society (SIM), the conference provided a vital platform for discussions on pressing topics such as sustainability, technology & innovation, and evolving consumer behavior.
Among the presentations, the University of Foggia, in collaboration with the University of Brescia, presented the first draft of a scientific paper entitled “Developing capabilities for sustainability alliances: evidence from Italian SMEs”. The paper is co-authored by Raffaele Silvestri, Anna Romagno, and Martina Pipoli from the University of Foggia, alongside Elisa Carloni and Francesca Ceruti from the University of Brescia. This study explores the capabilities that Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to address sustainability challenges through strategic alliances. It emphasizes the unique position of SMEs, which, despite limited resources, exhibit organizational flexibility conducive to innovation. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities framework, the study explores nine SMEs engaged in sustainability alliances, with a focus on the skills required to manage sustainability-focused alliances and the organizational factors that foster these skills. The paper has been presented in the “B2B marketing and supply chain management” where Italian and international scholars engaged with the authors and provided feedback to refine the research and its implications for SMEs.
The SMEs analyzed in the study were drawn from preliminary findings of the SAMExperience project, specifically from Work Package 2 “WP2- Alliance Manager Profile: Training Needs & Competences and Profile Definition”.
Participating in events like the XXI SIM Conference, highly regarded within the Italian marketing and management field, is essential to maintaining a vibrant dialogue between academia and the business world while promoting scientific research as a driver of innovation.
The research team reaffirms its dedication to advancing knowledge and promoting international collaboration, underscoring its role as a center of excellence in Italian academia. The UNIFG & UNIBS participation at the XXI SIM Conference marks another milestone in their efforts to enhance interdisciplinarity and transfer expertise between academia and society.
Stay tuned for future updates!
Written by University of Foggia team (Italy)